Lightning-arrester.



J. D. HILLIARD, JB. & G. E. PARSONS. LIGHTNING ARRBSTER.

APPLIGATION FILED 11116.22, 190s.

1 ,005,033. f Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

lllllli W/ TNESSES:

coLUMmA PLANODRAPM cu..wAsH|Nu'r \N. n.c.'

J. D. HILLIARD, Jn. & C. E. PARSONS.

LIGHTNING ARRESTEB.

APPLIOATION FILED 111111.22, 190e.

1,005,033. Patented 0111.3, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, W JTNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

JOHN D. HILLIARD, JR., AND CHARLES E, PARSONS, OF GLENS FALLS, YORK.

LlGHTNNGr-ARRESTER.

1,005,033. i il Application filed August 22, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Jol-1N D. HILLIARD, J r., and CHARLES E. PARSONS, citizens of the United States, residing at Glens Falls, in the county of Narren and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in4 Lightning-Arresters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to protective devices for electrical circuits and has for its object the provision of an improved lightning arrester, especially adapted for interior use where a goat horn arrester can not be used because of the room required by the arc.

In order to prevent a continuous arc due to the line currents following a high potential discharge by way of metallic gases formed by the arc, it is our purpose to arrange the apparatus herein described in a manner similar to that described in our copending application filed January 29, 1906, S. No. 298,439, but in this case we use balls, cylinders, or blunt points instead of horns. Since the discarding of the goat horn arrester does away with the means for breaking the arc, we provide means for performing that function separately from the spark gap or gaps, which will be claimed herein, comprising an automatic oil switch actuated by a solenoid. The line arrangement, with bridges containing the arresters and their resistances, will also be claimed herein, as this system differs somewhat from the above mentioned application. lVe may state the features of the oil switch broadly, as follows: An outer containing vessel of wood is partly filled with oil in which is sunk, to a suitable level, an inner vessel in which the switch parts proper are housed. Mounted upon the upper part of this vessel is a solenoid whose stem extends down and constitutes one electrode, being fitted preferably with a float. Supported by another float in the outer vessel and projecting into the inner vessel, is a rod constituting the second electrode, connected also to a flexible pigtail, carried through the outer vessel in order to make a suitable outside connection. One spark gap is provided in the line connection, one around the entire vessel, and one around the solenoid for its protection. The discharge from the line passes through the solenoid and through the switch to ground 'or one of the other lines, whereupon the Specilicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

Serial No. 331,553.

solenoid immediately opens the switch, breaking the arc.- If a second discharge comes, or if the line potential piles up while the switch is open, the main gap' around the apparatus which is set for a high breakdown point, will take care of the discharge until the switch closes.

lWe shall describe herein a safety system for polyphase circuits employing the foregoing lightning arrester; but the said system will not be claimed herein, since it forms the subject matter of a copending divisional application, Serial No. 579,546, filed August 29, 1910, for Protective system for polyphase circuits.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-- Figure l shows our lightning arrester unit, with the arc-breaking switch in section, and its connections indicated diagrammatically. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a safety system for polyphase circuits in which this lightning arrester unit may be employed. Fig. 3 is a detail of a shock absorber used in the resistances z.

Referring to the drawing, and especially to Fig. l, l indicates the line which is to be protected, or a branch therefrom. This is separated from the wire 2 by an air gap between the terminals, g, which are set for break-down at any desired point, and constitutes the principal air gap element of the apparatus. From wire 2, separate paths to ground are provided, one through the solenoid S, flexible pigtail sa, (this being connected to a sliding core, E, magnetically lifted into the coil of the solenoid, S, and retracted by gravity) float s, contact s2, the rod E, it-s float, e, and the flexible pigtail, e, to wire 5; the other through wires 3 and 4 to the wire 5, through spark terminals, g, interposed and adjusted with a relatively wide air gap so as to have a high break-down point for this branch. The circuit of the solenoid itself is from wire 2 as follows: 8, S, 7, 89, sa, s', s2, E, e to wire 5. The shunt wire 6 with air gap, g2, is connected around the solenoid and is grounded upon the iron yoke, 10a, around the coil, which is normally in connection with the top, 8X, of the inner vessel B.

The mechanical structure of the switch is as follows: An outer containing vessel, A, is provided, preferably of wood or other similar material, wit-h supporting arms or studs, o, extending radially from its inner wall to support the inner vessel, B, which "is/preferably constructed of heavy steel pipe to resist the excessive pressure generated when the switch is opened. This vessel contains the working parts of the switch. These comprise two rods, E and 143/, arranged axially in the cylindrical inner vessel and projecting from opposite ends thereof, the upper one, E, forming the core of the solenoid, and therefore made o-f soft laminated iron. As we have already stated, the vessels are partly filled with oil of a suitable character to smother the arc. Each of the rods, E and E, is provided with a float, which, being submerged or partly submerged in the oil carries the weight of the rod for a purpose which will be apparent from the and e 1 leaves the top of the rod, El, and an arc is established and drawn out therebetween funtil the leather washer, fw, on top of the i float, s1, strikes against the lower end of the l tube so, sealing the latter aga-inst the escape of statement of operation. The upper rod, E, as stated, forms t-lie core of the solenoid, S, which is conveniently supported by the conical head, SX, integral with the inner vessel, B, its upper end carrying the spool and supporting the winding of the solenoid, while from its apex depends a tube, so, to form a stop for the upward movement of the float,

pressure upon the surface of the oil, which S, and the contact, s2, carried thereby. The

tube, so, is preferably connected to the inner i Q iii part forced downward and expelled vio i lently from the inner vessel through the orifice, (Z, at the bottom.

vessel, B, by being threaded into the head, SX, as shown, and may be extended to constitute the inner tube of the solenoid. The lower rod, E, passes through an opening, el, in an insulating bushing, D, fitted in the bottom of the vessel, B.

Tn Fig. 2 a complete three-phase line equipment is shown, and inasmuch as we iave already described the switches, shown at c a: x and y, nothing further need be said regarding their construction.

Connected to the line 5 and in series with the automatic switches, fr m ,are resistances, e, which are connected to a wire, 11, leading to the automatic switch, y, which is grounded at G by wire, 12. These resistances are similar to those described in our pending application filed Jan. 29, 1906, Serial No. 298,439 in that they use acidulated water or a saline solution as a conducting medium.

Experience with the type of water resistance shown at e proves that it has one serious objection, it breaks under severe discharge. This break is due to a water hanimer, which is produced when the steam is formed in the tile and suddenly condensed when the arc is broken. To remedy this difficulty we place an air chamber, 11, in the bottom of the tile which comprises an open ended cylinder inverted s0 as to contain gas or air, and having a tube, 12, passing through it to receive the rod, 13. This cylinder', therefore, normally floats with its top against the enlargement on the end of the rod, 13, and whenever there is an increase in pressure, the air within the float is compressed and acts as a cushion t0 prevent the tile being broken.

automatic The operation of oui apparatus is as follows: A discharge from line 1, passing the gap, g, is conducted partly through the solenoid and partly through the shunt, gm, thence through pigtail, sa, rods E and E, wires c and 5 to one of the resistances, e, wire 11, gap 10, automatic switch, y, and ground through wire 12. Solenoid, S, of the automatic switch becoming' energized,

which may be either by a portion of the actual discharge or by a portion of the line energy which follows it, draws up its core,

E. rThis requires the expenditure of a very small amount of energy, because under normal conditions the weight of the rod, E, is sustained by the buoyancy of the floats, 81 Ars the rod, E, lifts, the contact, s2,

the gases. Thegeneration of such gases due to the arc immediately produces a very liigh after having forced out the rod, E, is itself This smother-s the arc, whereupon the line being cleared, the solenoid is denergized, the core, E, drops, the rod, El, rises through its guide, E2, to meet it, and normal conditions are reestablished.

The rods are adjusted with their contacts normally beneath the oil, so as to obtain a great subniersion of the rod, E, for the break.

.lvVe do not limit ourselves to this, or other details of arrangement, which may be varied without departing from the scope and purview of our invention.

Tn case a second discharge follows the first, or in case the potential of the. line piles up to a dangerous point while the switch is open, which might readily occur, the increased tension will break down the gap, g', taking the discharge through the wires 3, l and 5. ln such case, as soon as the solenoid has dropped its core, and the circuit through the rods of the switch has become reestablished, the arc at g will disappear, and the solenoid S will then operate as before to break the connection at 82 and smother the arc.

The current after leaving' wire 5 passes through resistances, e, on tolline 11, through the gap 10 and the automatic switch y in the manner above described and thence to ground, G, through wire 12.

Should the potential across the resistances, e, pile up to a dangerous point the gaps, l). shunting said resistances will break down and permit a free discharge to ground thifough the gap, 10, and the automatic ground switch, y. rThese gaps are normally so adjusted that no discharge passes over them except under extreme conditions.

`We do not herein claim the switch shown in Fig. 1, except as part of the system, the switch structure itself forming the subject of a separate application, led September 3, 1908, Serial No. 451,617.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A safety system comprising a primary or normal air gap, connected in series with an automatic break device, and a secondary air gap forming a shunt around the automatic break and itself set to break at a higher potential than that which operates said automatic break, substantially as described.

2. A safety system comprising` a line branch and an air gap, an automatic switch adapt-ed to break the arc formed upon a discharge, and a high potential shunt around said switch normally inoperative but becoming operative upon the occurrence of a high potential while the switch is in inoperative condition, substantially as described.

3. In a safety system of the character described, an automatic arc-breaking switch, and a high break-down gap in shunt ot the switch contacts, whereby a constant discharge path is provided whether the switch be opened or closed, substantially as described.

t. In a safety system of the character described, an automatic arc-breaking switch, an air gap interposed between the same and the line to be protected, and a second air gap in shunt around the switch,`substan tially as described.

5. In a lightning arrester, the combination with an automatic circuit breaker adapted to open the circuit and again close the same and operated by t-he normal current, or' a permanent discharge path associated with said circuit breaker.

6. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path, of an automatic circuit breaker adapted to open the circuit and again close the same and operated by the normal current and in shunt to a portion of said discharge path, whereby said discharge path remains unaiiected during the operation of the circuit breaker.

7. In a lightning arrester, the combination with an automatic circuit breaker adapted to open the circuit and again close the same and having separable contacts to disrupt the normal arc, of a permanent discharge path associated with said circuit breaker.

8. The combination with a discharge path, of an automatic circuit breaker in shunt to a portion of said. discharge path and having separable contacts to disrupt the normal arc, whereby said discharge path remains unaffected during the operation of the circuit breaker.

9. In a lightning arrester, the combination with discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of a shunt path for drawing the arc of the normal current away from one or more of said air gaps, and means for automatically interrupting the iiow ot normal current in said shunt path.

10. In a lightning arrester, the combination with discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of an automatic'circuit breaker in shunt to one or more of said air gaps and adapted to be operated by the normal current, for interrupting the low of normal current in said shunt.

11. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, oit' a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of said air gaps and in series with the other ot said air gaps, and means operated by normal current for ldisrupting the normal arc across said lastmentioned air gaps, said discharge path remaining unaffected during the operation of said disrupting means.

12. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of said air gaps and in series with the other of said air gaps, and means operated by normal current and included in said path for disrupting the normal arc across said last-mentioned air gaps, said discharge path remaining unaffected during the operation of said disrupting means.

13. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of said air gaps and in series with the other of said air gaps, and an automatic circuit breaker included in said path for disrupting the normal arc across said last-mentioned air gaps, said discharge path remaining unaected during the operation of said circuit breaker.

14. In a lightning arrester, the combination with discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of a magnet coil in shunt to one or more of said air gaps, said shunt path having\a lower resistance than the air gap shunted thereby, so as to draw the arc of the normal current away from said shunted air gap or air gaps, and means actuated by said magnet coil for interrupting the flow of normal current in said shunt path.

15. In a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of said gaps and in series with the other of said air gaps, a magnet coil in said path, and means actuated by said coil for disrupting the normal arc across said last-mentioned air gaps, said i discharge path remaining unaifected during the operation of said disrupting means.

1G. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of a shunt path for drawing the arc of the normal current away from one or more of said air gaps, and means for opening the circuit of the normal current in the shunt path.

17. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, of a path ior the normal current in shunt to one or more ot' said air gaps and in series with the other of said air gaps, and means for mechanically disrupting the normal arc across said last-mentioned air gaps, said discharge path remaining unaffected during the operation of said disrupting means.

18. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path having air gaps therein, ot' a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more or" said air gaps and in series with the other of said air gaps, and means included in said path for mechanically disrupting the normal arc across said last-mentioned air gaps, said discharge path remaining unaffected during the operation of said disrupting means.

19. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path including a resistance and a plurality of discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of the air gaps, and an automatic circuit breaker in said shunt path for interrupting the flow of normal current therein, said circuit breaker being operated by the normal current.

20. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path including a resistance and a plurality of discharge electrodes having air gaps therebetween, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of the air gaps and in series with said resistance and the other of the air gaps, and an automatic circuit breaker in said shunt path for interrupting the flow of normal current therein.

2l. ln a lightning arrester, the combination with a discharge path including a resistance and a plurality of discharge electrodes having-air gaps therebetween, of a path for the normal current in shunt to one or more of the air gaps and in series with said resistance and the other' of the air gaps, a magnet coil in said shunt, and means actuated by said coil or interrupting the flow of normal current in said shunt path.

ln testimony whereof we aliix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JGHN D. HILLIARD, JR. CHARLES E. PARSONS.

Witnesses:

C. L. SNOW, L. A. JONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

